Trip Plan
Overview
The Kohala Coast is Hawaiʻi's most exclusive resort corridor: Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Fairmont Orchid, and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott line a sun-drenched lava coastline with private beach access, championship golf, and world-class dining. This three-day luxury itinerary builds on that resort base with private charters, spa experiences, and the Big Island's signature wildlife encounter.
Advance reservations: Book the manta ray night snorkel at least 2 weeks ahead (it sells out). Reserve Kealakekua Bay snorkel charter early. Dinner reservations at resort restaurants should be made 2 weeks ahead during peak season. Consider a helicopter tour for Day 3 if budget allows.
Day 1 — Kohala Coast Resort Beaches & Spa
8:00 AM
Mauna Kea Beach — Begin at Kaunaʻoa Bay, the jewel of the Kohala Coast. The crescent beach in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has calm, clear water, a gentle sandy slope, and exceptional snorkeling along the southern rocky point. Resort guests have direct beach access with complimentary chairs and umbrellas. Non-guests can access the beach via 30 free public parking spots.
Check water quality; this beach consistently tests among the cleanest on the island.
Parking: 30 free public spots at hotel gate (first-come). Resort guests use valet.
11:00 AM
Book a treatment at one of the Kohala Coast resort spas. The Mauna Lani Auberge spa, Fairmont Orchid Spa Without Walls (outdoor oceanfront treatments), and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel spa all offer lomi lomi Hawaiian massage and volcanic-stone treatments. Expect $250-400 for a 90-minute session. The outdoor settings overlooking the ocean distinguish these from mainland spa experiences.
4:00 PM
A-Bay (Anaehoomalu Bay) — Drive to the Waikoloa resort area for sunset at this palm-fringed bay. The ancient fishponds and due-west orientation make it the best sunset spot on the Kohala Coast.
Check water quality. Dinner at one of the resort restaurants along the Kohala Coast completes the evening.
Dining note: The Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid, and Westin Hapuna all have ocean-view fine dining open to non-guests.
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
The Kohala Coast is arid and rarely affected. If conditions are poor, extend the spa morning and spend the afternoon at the resort pool, then enjoy sunset at A-Bay from the shore.
Day 2 — Private Snorkel Charter & Manta Rays
8:00 AM
Board a private or luxury small-group snorkel charter from Honokohau Harbor in Kona (40 min drive south). Premium operators ($200-400/person) take you to Kealakekua Bay, a Marine Life Conservation District with 80+ feet of visibility and spinner dolphins. The captain's monument marks the prime snorkeling zone. Lunch is typically included on full-day charters; half-day options include snacks and drinks.
Midday
Return to Kona for lunch at an ocean-view restaurant along Aliʻi Drive. Walk the historic waterfront and browse the high-end shops. Or drive 20 minutes upslope to the Kona coffee belt for a private farm tour with cupping session ($30-80/person).
Evening
The signature Big Island luxury experience: a night manta ray snorkel from Keauhou Bay ($130-200/person). Float on the surface as manta rays with 10-foot wingspans glide inches below you, attracted by plankton-gathering lights. The experience lasts about 45 minutes in the water and is unlike anything else in Hawaiʻi. Book at least 2 weeks in advance; this sells out regularly. Premium operators provide wetsuits, hot cocoa after, and small group sizes.
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
Kealakekua Bay is on the dry Kona coast and rarely affected. The manta ray experience operates in calm Keauhou Bay and is typically unaffected by runoff conditions elsewhere. If the charter cancels, arrange a private helicopter tour of the coastline and volcano.
Day 3 — Hapuna Beach & Mauna Kea Stargazing
9:00 AM
Hapuna Beach — A relaxed morning at the Big Island's most beautiful white-sand beach. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits directly above the beach and offers beach-chair service for guests. The clear water and wide sand make this ideal for a morning swim and sunbathing session.
Check water quality.
Parking: $5/vehicle at state park. Westin guests have direct access.
Midday
Lunch at the Westin Hapuna or drive 10 minutes to the Mauna Lani resort complex for poolside dining. Afternoon at leisure at your resort, with golf ($250-350/round at Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, or Waikoloa courses) or a second spa session.
Evening
Drive to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet (1 hour from Kohala Coast via Saddle Road). The free stargazing program offers telescope viewing of planets, nebulae, and galaxies in some of the darkest skies in the Northern Hemisphere. Premium private stargazing experiences ($100-200/person) are also available with dedicated astronomers. Bring warm layers (temperatures drop to the 40s at altitude). Return to resort (45 min downhill).
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
Skip the morning beach swim and add a morning helicopter tour of the coastline and Kilauea volcano ($300-500/person, 45-60 minutes). The rest of the day is inland and unaffected by ocean conditions.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health,
any entity mentioned on this page, or any government agency or hotel brand.
Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis.
They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the
Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch
before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
When in doubt, donʻt go out. 🤙